Cannonball Run hits the road in Canada
Some might remember the 1981 cinematic gem Cannonball Run starring Burt Reynolds which was based on the original 1971 Cannonball Run race across the United States (though hopefully those who saw the film’s second sequel with John Candy suffer from severe memory loss). This September, a real-life Cannonball Run, which has enjoyed particularly strong success in Europe the last three years, kicks off in Montreal for a Canadian version of the event. In an attempt to re-create the wackiness of the film classic, racers are encouraged to wear costumes to help raise money for charity. The event will be filmed professionally so the highlights of the race can be featured on the 2005 DVD to be released worldwide.
With the event just being announced, sponsorship is still available, though event organizers have already been in talks with Vodafone and Red Bull for some of the premium rights. Some of the available sponsorships include everything from decals, to banners, to advertising on the DVD. Cannonball is particularly interested in pursuing supplier agreements for both parts and cars in exchange for heavy promotion.
MIJO brokers international deal to sell broadcast verification services
This morning, New York-based TNS Media Intelligence finalized an exclusive agreement with MIJO to sell TNS’ Broadcast Verification Services for monitoring Canadian television commercials. The deal allows MIJO to offer BVS technology to the Canadian marketplace under the banner of BVS Canada. BVS technology monitors a wide range of advertising material including commercials, promos, PSAs, programs and video news releases in North America to inform media agencies within 24 hours of a schedule broadcast if their media buys have aired as planned.
ComBase Market Focus: Sudbury, Ont. (CMA)
– 80% of adults 18+ report reading any edition of a community newspaper in Sudbury; the gender breakdown is 79% of women and 80% of men
– 57% of adults 18+ report reading any edition of a daily newspaper; 59% of women and 55% of men report the same
– 80% of those who read any edition of a community newspaper own their homes and 64% are attached (married/living together)
– 81% of those who only read community paper(s) and do not read any daily newspaper(s), own their own homes
Source: ComBase 2003-2004 Study
ComBase, the Community Newspaper Database, is a syndicated consumer-media survey of more than 400 Canadian markets that provides consistent and accurate, market-by-market information to assist in the buying and selling of community newspaper advertising space.
It is an initiative of the Canadian Community Newspaper Association and its nearly 700 members across the country. For more information, contact Kelly Levson, senior project manager at kellylevson@combase.ca.
http://www.combase.ca
Nielsen Media Research Spend Trend: Fitness, health clubs, and weight loss
It’s that time again. The time when thoughts turn from the delicious treats of the holiday season to the unwanted pounds of the new year – and how we resolve to lose them. If the huge increases in spending in this category are any indication, fitness is a big priority for Canadians.
Television reaps the most dollars from the category followed by daily papers, although newspapers’ piece of the pie has been declining year over year. In 2004, radio and out of home stole some of TV’s share and magazines recovered from their large decreases in 2002 and 2003.
click to see the chart
CBC/SRC’s René Lévesque mini wraps
A six-hour mini-series about René Lévesque, one of the most influential politicians in Canadian history, wrapped recently in Montreal, where both English- and French-language versions were produced by Ciné Télé-Action. The $11.3 million mini will air on CBC and Radio-Canada in fall 2005.
Writer Geneviève Lefebvre drew on Pierre Godin’s official biographies of Lévesque to pen a story that begins in 1958 when Lévesque, played by Emmanuel Bilodeau, was working as a TV journalist. It follows his life through the Quiet Revolution to the October Crisis of 1970 and the murder of Pierre Laporte. Additional stars include Pascale Bussières, Lucie Laurier and Marie Tifo.
TSN serves up 2005 tennis broadcast schedule
TSN will be airing over 500 hours of tennis this year featuring all four Grand Slam tournaments, 10 Tennis Master Series events (beginning with the event in Montreal), and the Rogers Cup in Toronto. The tennis sked kicks off with the Australian Open this Sunday, Jan. 16 and wraps up on Nov. 21 with the Masters Cup finals. TSN’s Australian Open lineup, with 60 hours of matches, is the first Grand Slam event of the year and looks to draw upon the successes from 2004. Last January the average broadcast drew 101,000 viewers, an increase of 22% from 2003.
New OLN show lands in Canada’s backyard
Barnstormers, airing Friday, Feb. 4 at 9 p.m. on Outdoor Life Network, follows the real-life adventures of two pilots as they fly across Canada in antique biplanes. The stars of the show, accomplished pilots Michelle Goodeve (formerly Ms. Avery on Degrassi Junior High) and Kal Mollison (of the band SandCastle Theory), visit remote towns and villages throughout Canada’s countryside to bring viewers stories of what makes our citizens unique. The show also focuses on the pilots themselves and explores their fascination with aviation.
Genesis Media appoints new president
Effective Jan. 26, Annette Warring will begin her new role as president of Toronto-based Genesis Media. Previous to her hiring, Warring spent eight years at MPG Maxxmedia, with her most recent title being EVP managing director. Warring, 36, is returning to Genesis where she worked for four years over a decade ago.
Vision Critical makes critical appointment
Angus Reid, founder of public affairs consultancy group Angus Reid Consultants (now Ipsos Insight), has been appointed to the position of CEO for Vancouver-based software company Vision Critical Communications. Vision Critical, which specializes in Internet and new media applications for market research and polling industries, has also placed Reid on the company’s board of directors.
BBM adds another B and an E
As a result of BBM Canada’s recent reorganization, the company has made two new executive appointments. Ron Bremner, who has been with BBM since 1996, has been promoted to VP, client services. Don Easter, who has also been with the company since 1996, has taken on the role of VP, internal operations. Both promotions are effective immediately. While BBM finishes its company-wide reorganization, Bremner will also fill in as VP, radio and Easter will fill in as VP, television.
PMB Factoid
Albertans are 80% more likely to drink spiced rum.
Mid-season round-up: Part Three – Global
Global’s mid-season schedule features a veritable cornucopia of changes with the net hoping that it can continue the growth it experienced at the end of 2004. The mid-season lineup features some of the most desirable properties of the year, including the Superbowl and the season premieres of The Apprentice III and Survivor: Palau. But the schedule also features some new, untested series and some big ratings pushes on highly contested nights.
Sunday night’s two-hour, commercial-free broadcast of 24 was a huge hit for Global. In Toronto, 24 beat its competition head-to-head for each half hour and scored its highest premiere ratings to date for the 18-49 demo. Needless to say, buyers and planners who have invested heavily in Desperate Housewives are looking forward to next week when 24 airs in its usual Monday 8 p.m. time-slot as it did last night.
Rogers reviews media and creative accounts
Rogers Communications has launched a review of its national creative and media assignments. An RFP has been issued and the company expects to announce the results by mid-year.
The Rogers business was estimated at $40 million when it reviewed its agencies in 1999. The winners of that effort – Media Buying Services (AOR media planning and buying), MacLaren McCann (creative AOR), and Marketel (French-language creative) – will be taking part in this new process.
MindShare wins IKEA media account
Burlington, Ont.-based Ikea Canada has named MindShare Canada, of Toronto, agency of record for its Canadian media planning and implementation. The assignment was previously held by Carat. IKEA has 11 Canadian locations, as well as catalogues and the IKEA.ca Web site. It has been increasing its ‘significant’ investments in Canadian media to support its growing Canadian customer base. Brian Fitzpatrick, managing partner of MindShare Canada, will be leading the team on the account.
MindShare Canada’s other clients include Tim Hortons, 20th Century Fox and Gillette. It is part of GroupM, the company created by WPP to represent its consolidated media investment management interests.
Top execs on CMDC slate
Some of Canada’s top industry execs have signed on as speakers at this year’s CMDC conference. Organizers have so far confirmed a panel discussion moderated by Michael Vaughan of ROB TV with Phillip Crawley, publisher and CEO, The Globe and Mail; Richard Stursberg, EVP, CBC English television; Brian Segal, president and CEO, publishing, Rogers Media Corporation; and Jay Switzer, president and CEO, CHUM.
Other highlights include a look at accountability at the highest levels with a presentation by Ian Greenberg, CEO of Astral Media.
The event will kick off with a keynote address by Sir Martin Sorrell, chief executive of London-based WPP.
The 2005 Canadian Media Directors’ Council Conference, ‘Called to Account – Managing Risk with Accountability,’ will be held April 5 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
